A wood-burning fire is a welcoming sight in any home, especially in the winter. Seeing that winter is fast approaching, and it’s likely that you’ll be spending lots of time indoors, you will need to stock up on plenty of wood for burning. Today, there are different types of wood that you can choose from. However, did you know that not all wood types burn the same?
If you want to have a comfortable time as you stay indoors during winter, here are two best types of wood you should get for your wood stove or fireplace:
Hardwood
This type of wood tends to be hotter and burn longer. They are also cleaner to handle, although they tend to be more expensive than its counterpart. Moreover, this is more prone to leave clinkers. Some of the types of hardwood firewood are the following:
- Maple
- Ash
- Birch
- Oak
When burning birch, be mindful of the phloem, which is the thick inner brown bark. The phloem retains lots of moisture that prevents the wood from drying evenly. For this reason, it’s best to mix birch with other types of hardwood for a cleaner burn, and this can also make it produce less smoke.
Softwood
If you are on a tight budget, but you still want to get that fireplace going, then consider looking at softwood options because of its affordable price tags. Just like hardwood, there are different types, but for a wood stove or fireplace, fir is the best choice. The downside of softwood is that it’s messy to handle because they can cause creosote to accumulate quickly in the chimney.
Now, you know the two types of firewood you can get for your wood stove or fireplace. If you want to make sure that your experience at home is worthwhile, here are some tips to follow:
- Ensure the wood is dry: Never burn insufficiently dried wood because it will produce less heat and more smoke. Make sure your wood is dry by stacking your wood properly where there’s good airflow. Also, you only need to cover the top, and before you burn it, make sure that it’s thoroughly dry. What you should do is to rotate your firewood to avoid wood rot and waste.
- Avoid some types of wood: Some people who want to save more money often opt for other types of wood to use for their wood stove or fireplace. It is important to avoid these because wood options, such as painted or varnished wood, pressure-treated lumber, driftwood, engineered sheet goods, and hardboard may pose risks to your stove metals, and it can also have an impact on health and safety.
- Be careful: When heating up your wood stove or fireplace, use enough paper to get the fire going. This is because excessive use of starter paper can contribute to a creosote buildup.
- Be safe: Comply with the recommended clearances when lighting up your wood stove or fireplace. It’s also vital to protect the floors using a fire-resistant floor pad, and have an active carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarms.
Conclusion
Using the right firewood for your wood stove or fireplace is important. If it’s your first to go on a wood hunt and use them, the tips above will help you do it safely. With the right firewood, you will surely enjoy the warmth during the winter as you stay cosy inside your home.
Are you looking for a wood stove or fireplace installation in Scotland? Then you have come to the right place! At Stove Scotland, our experts can take care of this for you and also help maintain them in the long run. Get in touch with us today for a quote!
